Notes from Helena

| January 17, 2017 11:51 AM

Starting Week 3 of Montana’s 65th legislature, and I have been busy. I serve on House Appropriations Committee where the two year budget for all state spending is put together. Due in part to lower incoming revenues, state finances are in a tough spot.

I chair the Appropriations Joint Subcommittee on Long Range Planning, the place where major infrastructure projects are reviewed. We have been receiving overviews and presentations on the governor’s plan. More details later, but in brief it would divert all the coal trust interest away from infrastructure projects and into the general fund.

Reason is the governor wants a standing GF balance of $300 million, with the projects being funded by selling bonds. It seems like fattening up your rainy day checkbook by borrowing money. Expect to see several alternate proposals.

For several sessions I have been involved with our Aquatic Invasive Species defense, which has advanced to “Defend, Contain and Control.” I have been working on federal funding, cooperation with other states through Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, the international association I am a delegate to. A PNWER delegation visited Helena last week. In addition to meeting leadership and elected officials, they toured the AIS Incident Command Center.

My subcommittee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation will get the first detailed AIS report, including projected costs at 8:30 a.m. today, Jan. 16. I organized a more generalized briefing for northwest legislators last Wednesday. This “Contain and Control program” will be expensive, but minor compared to cost of a wide spread infestation.

Then by midmorning my subcommittee returns to HB 14, the infrastructure and bonding proposals. By noon, I will be dropping in a bill to allow rural fire districts to pull water from ponds and streams. I have a few bills in process, and may have more on infrastructure funding and AIS.

Finally, I must compliment LCHS junior Sarah Hepner who served as a page during the first week of the House of Representatives. First week everyone is getting organized, and life can be hectic for a page. Sarah earned a heap of praise and seemed to enjoy being a part of the 65th Legislature. I am proud of her.

Mike Cuffe

Montana House District 2